Suspect in double slaying may face death penalty

Robert Allan Lehmann. COURTESY OF THE ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

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A Costa Mesa police officer holds and comforts a baby at the scene of a double homicide on Santa Clara Circle Tuesday afternoon. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Costa Mesa police investigators check out a bullet hole in the door of an SUV parked across the street from where two people were shot to death Tuesday afternoon on Santa Clara Circle. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A baby whose mother was shot and killed is carried by a Costa Mesa police officer in front of the house where the shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon. Police say the mother was shot by her ex in an ongoing dispute. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Neighbors watch the investigation by Costa Mesa police of a double homicide at a home on Santa Clara Circle Tuesday afternoon. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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With a tarp covering the bodies of the two shooting victims, Costa Mesa police investigate the Tuesday afternoon homicide on Santa Clara Circle. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Costa Mesa Police Department officers conduct an investigation at the scene of the double homicide Tuesday evening in the 3400 block of Santa Clara Circle in Costa Mesa. RICHARD KOEHLER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A Costa Mesa Fire Department captain holds a baby, which was in a car seat in a vehicle, left. Costa Mesa Police Department officers conduct an investigation at the scene of the double homicide Tuesday evening in the 3400 block of Santa Clara Circle in Costa Mesa. RICHARD KOEHLER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A father holds his baby tight after being reunited. Costa Mesa Police Department officers conduct an investigation at the scene of the double homicide Tuesday evening in the 3400 block of Santa Clara Circle in Costa Mesa. RICHARD KOEHLER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Costa Mesa Police Department officers conduct an investigation at the scene of the double homicide Tuesday evening in the 3400 block of Santa Clara Circle in Costa Mesa. RICHARD KOEHLER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A friend of the woman who was shot is comforted by a neighbor at the scene of Tuesday's double homicide on Santa Clara Circle in Costa Mesa. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

COSTA MESA – A man accused of shooting his ex-wife and her father this week could face two life terms behind bars or the death penalty if convicted, authorities said.

Orange County prosecutors on Thursday charged Robert Allan Lehmann, 36, with two felony counts of special circumstances murder with sentencing enhancements of using a deadly weapon, multiple murders and lying in wait, according to a statement released by the District Attorney's office.

If Lehmann is convicted of the charges, prosecutors could decide to seek the death penalty in the case, said Farrah Emami, spokeswoman for the District Attorney's office.

Officials accuse Lehmann of sending his 7-year-old daughter and his current wife out for ice cream Tuesday, then waiting in his Costa Mesa home with a handgun for his ex-wife Emily Ford and her father, Russell Ford.

Lehmann and Emily Ford had been fighting in court for at least two years over the custody of their special-needs daughter and, just hours before the shooting, a judge granted custody to Ford.

Ford and her father drove to Lehmann's home shortly after the court decision Tuesday to pick up her daughter. Emily Ford, who had since remarried, left her baby inside her car while she walked with her father to Lehmann's house.

According to prosecutors, Lehmann began shooting just as he opened the door to his home, located at the 3400 block of Santa Clara Circle. Emily Ford and her father tried to run away, but Lehmann continued to fire outside the home.

Both victims were shot several times in the back before falling to the ground, according to the District Attorney's office.

Lehmann's single-story home is located a short distance from a day-care center, where parents reported grabbing their children and running inside the center when shots rang out in the quiet neighborhood.

Neighbors reported seeing Lehmann outside his home, and said they saw him aiming his handgun toward the ground.

According to prosecutors, Lehmann reloaded his handgun. He walked toward both Russell and Emily Ford, and continued to fire at their backs and heads.

“I asked him if he shot somebody. He said, 'Yes I did,'“ said Frank Bettner, a neighbor who said he saw Lehmann on the phone after hearing shots. “He was just very calm.”

The shooting has shaken residents of the neighborhood, as well as friends and family of the victims who said they were looking into setting up a fund to help pay for Emily Ford's funeral costs and to help in the care of her daughter.

After learning of the death of Emily Ford, who worked as a special-education aide, the Newport-Mesa School District sent crisis response teams to two schools.

“Our entire Newport-Mesa school community has been touched by Emily's loss and she will be deeply missed,” read a statement issued by the district. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Emily's family during this very difficult and sad time.”

On Thursday, Lehmann remained in police custody. He was taken to a nearby hospital as a precautionary measure, but was in Costa Mesa's jail as of Thursday morning, said Sgt. Darrel Rainey.

According to school officials, Emily Ford was employed with the Newport-Mesa District since 2007, where she worked at Paularino, Andersen, and Mariners elementary schools. She also worked at Sonora and Harper pre-schools.

The district's crisis response team responded to both Paularino and Sonora elementary schools the day after the shooting.

Court records show Emily Ford had requested a restraining order back in 2004, stating Lehmann had “an inability to control his temper,” and that she feared for her safety.

According to records, Lehmann was scheduled in court Tuesday morning, but did not appear. The hearing was pushed back to 4 p.m. but he was again absent.

Police said the shooting occurred two hours later, when Emily Ford and her father drove to his home to pick up the girl.

Neighbors and witnesses reported hearing 10 to 15 shots, with some bullets hitting the sides of vehicles that were parked in front of the home and the day-care center

“If it weren't for the cars in front of the here I'd be dead right now,” said Yara Oliveira, director of the center. “It was horrible. Horrible.”

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